DEQ Press Releases

Montana fall open burning season ends

HELENA – The Montana fall open burning season ended Nov. 30. Burning is allowed in the Western Montana Burn Zone by submitting a Winter Time Open Burning Request form and receiving approval from the DEQ when atmospheric dispersion is optimal.

To conduct open burning in the Eastern Montana Open Burning Zone during the winter months, DEQ must be notified by telephone prior to ignition at 406-444-3490.

Residents of Lewis and Clark, Yellowstone, Flathead, Missoula, Lincoln and Cascade counties and all Indian reservations should contact their local air quality agency to understand any local level air quality related open burning rules.

Open burning is defined as outdoor burning of materials such as yard or field waste. It does not include small recreational fires, flares, or construction site heaters.

Smoke from open burning can have serious health effects if released to the atmosphere during winter inversions that trap air in Montana’s western valleys. DEQ reviews atmospheric conditions daily during the fall and winter to determine where it’s safe to burn and where burning may cause health impacts.

For more information, visit the Burn Closures website at: http://deq.mt.gov/Air/SF/burnrestrictions The website has information about what materials can and cannot be burned, frequently asked questions about open burning, state-issued major open burning permits, and local contact information.

Before starting fires any time of year, please contact the local authorities to provide notification of the burn and obtain necessary local open burning permits.

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About Us

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality is charged with protecting a clean and healthy environment as guaranteed to our citizens by our State Constitution. Our ultimate goal is to protect public health and to maintain Montana's
high quality of life for current and future generations.